The average length of a marriage in the United States is 19.9 years. Many factors play a role in that number, including divorce and death, but one couple is swaying the statistic as they recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.
The couple, 95-year-old Ann and 98-year-old Robert “Bob” Gorman, from Rhode Island, shared their story with WJAR, saying that they first met after Bob returned from the war in the 1940s.
Looking for work, Bob found himself heading to a local mill when he accidentally stumbled upon the future love of his life.
“When they opened the door, I saw her talking to three or four girls, and I said, ‘That’s for me,’” he told the media outlet. “She said, ‘No, it ain’t, and don’t get no ideas either.’”
Ann says that she at first told him “to get lost,” saying she “was not interested.” But the persistence of a starstruck man paid off, as Bob says he was able to get a date with her.
Two years later, the two were married on April 24, 1948.
Monday’s milestone put the Gorman’s in rare company, and Bob shared with the media outlet that he thinks “it’s wonderful she put up with” him for so long.
“I’m thinking of going back and doing it over again,” Ann joked.
The couple are parents to three children who can’t help but point to the love they have for each other.
“I’m 72. Since I was born, being there every step of the way to watch their love, it’s been amazing,” Cheryl Nersesian, their daughter, shared. “To be my age and have both my parents, it’s like unheard of.”
The couple celebrated their anniversary this week with family, shelling out wisdom to younger generations, like the importance of never going to bed angry, WJAR reported.
“We used to argue every morning, and then we’d make up every night,” Ann said.
Reminiscing on their years together, Bob says he is happy that he pursued all those years ago.
“With her, and the kids, I couldn’t ask for a better partner,” Bob said. “No way in the world will I find a better girl than her.”
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